Nissan Frontier Forums: Trans/Fuel Mileage Issue??

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Nissan Frontier Forums : Problems / Technical

Topic: Trans/Fuel Mileage Issue??

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s/c-sickness
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Posted: Jan 17 2008 at 5:13pm \| IP Logged

I have a 2003 Frontier S/C and i am having some funky issues. I have approx 57k on the truck and whenever it is cold it has a really hard 1-2 shift and feels like it is consistently slipping through third. Then when its warm, under any moderate load, it hangs third gear for an extremely long time on the highway before it finally kicks into fourth gear. In general, it just seems that the tranny is just confused. The thing that baffles me, is the fluid is fine and most of the problems are much improved when the truck is warm. Also the truck has been getting roughly 12 miles to the gallon mixed driving, and this is after i did a full 60k tune up with all genuine parts. Now i know the the S/C model is known for poor gas mileage, but i could have got a V8 fullsize and got the same mileage while not having to buy premium fuel. Thankyou very much for any help you can provide.

P.S. I am a full time A.S.E. certified mechanic, so i understand technical things. I am just looking to see if anyone else has had similar issues so i can narrow down where to look. I dont have much time to be digging into my own truck. So again, any help is GREATLY appreciated.

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2003 Frontier Crew Cab S/C
SICKNESS!!

Always here to help...But help me when I dig myself a hole if you don't mind??

If you cant drive it or ride it, then its not worth your time.

lakota
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Posted: Jan 17 2008 at 7:41pm \| IP Logged

s/c-sickness;

I feel for your pain! Our SAE / moderator / advisor is out of pocket... he might be in the sand box.

My '76 V-8 Wagoneer with nearly 200k still shifts perfectly. I attribute this to the fact there is NOT a computer hooked up to it. It sounds like your computer is overly trying to prevent the engine from lugging. You already know tranny oil can look good but still need replacing. Do you have an add on T-cooler hooked up after the stock cooler?

The crummy 10% Ethanol fuel is screwing my fuel mileage noticeably. Also my injectors seem to gum up sooner than they used to. I’ve had good luck using Lucas fuel treatment.

Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S..

Higher fuel mileage? We need a government study to show the benefits of making ethanol from Marijuana and Agaves plants.

Alas .. Probably be more suicides from those trying to die by exhaust fumes.

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PLEASE >>> A SIG similar to mine can be VERY HELPFUL to all the members!
'99 4x4 3.3 Frontier Se KC Auto, 48,000 miles
'76 4x4 401 Wagoneer QT
'04 FWD 1.8 Sentra '08 FWD 2.4 Camry LE
Fort Worth

s/c-sickness
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Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 11:58am \| IP Logged

my trans fluid is new, as i stated i just did a 60k tune up. Anyone out there have any good ideas why this is happening??

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2003 Frontier Crew Cab S/C
SICKNESS!!

Always here to help...But help me when I dig myself a hole if you don't mind??

If you cant drive it or ride it, then its not worth your time.

re-ride
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Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 8:32pm \| IP Logged

Hey...sorry I don't have any advice, I own a 2002 sc, and get about the same mileage..14mpg, I've only had the truck for 3 weeks so I haven't had much time to have a look at things. Do you know of anywhere to obtain a service manual for the supercharged engine?

Thanks

Boomer
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Posted: Jan 19 2008 at 6:53am \| IP Logged

Go to nissanhelp.com and click on "Ownership" and follow the links. You can download service manuals there.

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2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
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2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
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alwysrd
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Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 4:57pm \| IP Logged

I've had my '02 Crew Cab SC auto for about six weeks now, and I average about 16-17 mpg on 91 octane, about 1-2 mpg less on 89 octane, and 7.5 towing a trailer, all with 10% ethanol.

I've read lots of posts about the knock sensors going bad, and it would make sense to me that fuel economy would suffer when this happens. From what I've read, when knock is detected, all boost is vented to atmosphere. Then your engine is left with the extra drag of the supercharger and none of the benefits, causing the throttle to be opened farther for longer to reach the same speeds as when you're using boost.

look at the TSBs on nissanhelp.com for more on this.

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